Click here to download the entry criteria
ALL ENTRIES MUST HAVE HAD THEIR FIRST BROADCAST BETWEEN 1 OCTOBER 2016 AND 30 SEPTEMBER 2017.
Full entry criteria by category
Best digital original drama
Sponsored by:
This category awards the best drama that has been made without traditional broadcast distribution. Entries must be for standalone digital properties that are ‘genre defining’ in their class. The judges will be looking for innovation, originality and/or interactivity. Virtual, mixed and augmented reality will all be accepted into this category, along with short-form for mobile and social platforms.
ENTRY CRITERIA
Returning drama series are not eligible for this category.
Both English and non-English series are permitted to enter this category.
All non-English materials submitted must be subtitled or dubbed in English
Complete the entry form with:
Title of drama and production/distribution details.
A 60 word pitch outlining why the series should be considered.
After submission you will be contacted for:
One clip or promo trailer of up to three minutes in length with all rights cleared for online screening.
Show logo – JPG – 620 pixels wide by 348 pixels high.
One full episode of the drama (which will only be viewable by the jury via a password protected site).
Best TV movie
The category will award the best TV movie, defined as a single feature length production shown in one part. The judges will look for genre defining production and excellence across all areas of casting, story, production. The judges will also take account of the potential for success in the international market.
ENTRY CRITERIA
Complete the entry form with:
Title of drama and production/distribution details.
A 60 word pitch outlining why the series should be considered.
After submission you will be contacted for:
One clip or promo trailer of up to three minutes in length with all rights cleared for online screening.
Show logo – JPG – 620 pixels wide by 348 pixels high.
The full length TV movie (which will only be viewable by the jury via a password protected site).
Best mini series
The category will award the best mini series, defined as a short run drama of 6 or less parts. The judges will look for genre defining production and excellence across all areas of casting, story, production. The judges will also take account of the potential for success in the international market.
ENTRY CRITERIA
Series should consist of 6 episodes or less to qualify as a mini-series
Returning drama series are not eligible for this category.
Both English and non-English series are permitted to enter this category.
All non-English materials submitted must be subtitled or dubbed in English.
Complete the entry form with:
Title of drama and production/distribution details.
A 60 word pitch outlining why the series should be considered.
After submission you will be contacted for:
One clip or promo trailer of up to three minutes in length with all rights cleared for online screening.
Show logo – JPG – 620 pixels wide by 348 pixels high.
One full episode of the drama (which will only be viewable by the jury via a password protected site)
Best returning drama (series)
This category will award the best new season iteration of an existing drama series. This can include any series of an ongoing drama that is not “series one”.
ENTRY CRITERIA
This category is open to all returning dramas.
All non-English language materials submitted must be subtitled or dubbed in English.
Complete the entry form with:
Title of drama and production/distribution details.
A 60 word pitch outlining why the series should be considered.
After submission you will be contacted for:
One clip or promo trailer of up to three minutes in length with all rights cleared for online screening.
Show logo – JPG – 620 pixels wide by 348 pixels high.
One full episode of the drama (which will only be viewable by the jury via a password protected site).
Best comedy drama series
This category will award the show which best uses comedy to drive its dramatic plot, either to punctuate certain scenes or provide some brief comic relief. We’re not looking for sitcoms, but instead dramas with a compelling story, which are amusing or satirical in their tone. It must demonstrate great storytelling, casting, character, screenplay, direction and production while also making us laugh. The judges will pay particular attention to series that have enjoyed unrivalled critical and ratings success in their home territory and at television markets and festivals around the world.
ENTRY CRITERIA
Returning drama series are not eligible for this category.
Both English and non-English series are permitted to enter this category.
All non-English materials submitted must be subtitled or dubbed in English.
Complete the entry form with:
Title of drama and production/distribution details.
A 60 word pitch outlining why the series should be considered.
After submission you will be contacted for:
One clip or promo trailer of up to three minutes in length with all rights cleared for online screening.
Show logo – JPG – 620 pixels wide by 348 pixels high.
One full episode of the drama (which will only be viewable by the jury via a password protected site).
Best returning comedy drama series
This category will award the series which is the best new season iteration of an existing comedy drama. This category will award the show which best uses comedy to drive its dramatic plot, either to punctuate certain scenes or provide some brief comic relief. We’re not looking for sitcoms, but instead dramas with a compelling story, which are amusing or satirical in their tone. It must demonstrate great storytelling, casting, character, screenplay, direction and production while also making us laugh. The judges will pay particular attention to series that have enjoyed unrivalled critical and ratings success in their home territory and at television markets and festivals around the world.
ENTRY CRITERIA
Both English and non-English series are permitted to enter this category.
All non-English materials submitted must be subtitled or dubbed in English.
Complete the entry form with:
Title of drama and production/distribution details.
A 60 word pitch outlining why the series should be considered.
After submission you will be contacted for:
One clip or promo trailer of up to three minutes in length with all rights cleared for online screening.
Show logo – JPG – 620 pixels wide by 348 pixels high.
One full episode of the drama (which will only be viewable by the jury via a password protected site).
Best casting of a drama series
This category awards the best overall casting in a drama series. The judges will look for the most rounded, inspirational casting which brings variety and depth to the production. Attention will be paid to both lead actors and supporting cast and to how the drama series uses casting to enhance the story and bring additional depth. Additional weight will be given to casting that enables a drama series to work across territories and create buzz across different international markets.
ENTRY CRITERIA
Entries must be for casts which debuted within the eligibility period. This will often mean the shows entered are in their first series.
Complete the entry form with:
Title of drama and production/distribution details.
A 60 word pitch outlining why the series should be considered.
After submission you will be contacted for:
One clip or promo trailer of up to three minutes in length with all rights cleared for online screening.
Show logo – JPG – 620 pixels wide by 348 pixels high.
One full episode of the drama (which will only be viewable by the jury via a password protected site).
Best female performance in a drama series
This award will be given for a definitive performance in a dramatic series by a woman, and one that is recognised internationally by drama buyers from channels worldwide. The actress will be recognised as making the most significant performance and creating a buzz in the global business that resonates worldwide.
ENTRY CRITERIA
Entrants must have portrayed their character for the first time between October 1 2016 and September 30 2017.
Complete the entry form with:
Title of drama and production/distribution details.
A 60 word pitch outlining why the actress should be considered.
After submission you will be contacted for:
One clip or promo trailer of up to three minutes in length with all rights cleared for online screening.
An image of the cast member at 620 pixels wide by 348 pixels high.
One full episode of the drama (which will only be viewable by the jury via a password protected site).
Best male performance in a drama series
This award will be given for a definitive performance by a man in a dramatic series, and one that is recognised internationally by drama buyers from channels worldwide. The actor will be recognised as making the most significant performance and creating a buzz in the global business that resonates worldwide.
ENTRY CRITERIA
Entrants must have portrayed their character for the first time between October 1 2016 and September 30 2017.
Complete the entry form with:
Title of drama and production/distribution details.
A 60 word pitch outlining why the actor should be considered
After submission you will be contacted for:
One clip or promo trailer of up to three minutes in length with all rights cleared for online screening.
An image of the cast member at 620 pixels wide by 348 pixels high.
One full episode of the drama (which will only be viewable by the jury via a password protected site).
Best non-English language drama (series)
This category will award the best drama series produced in a language other than English which displays the most ‘genre defining’ project in its class. It must demonstrate the most compelling story, casting, character, screenplay, direction, cinematography, music and production. The judges will pay close attention to series that have enjoyed unrivalled critical and ratings success in their home territory and at television markets and festivals around the world.
ENTRY CRITERIA
Returning drama series are not eligible for this category.
A drama series is defined as a production with 6 to 26 episodes.
Returning drama series are not eligible for this category.
Episode 1, Season 1 must have aired in its original territory for the very first time between 1 October 2016 and 30 September 2017.
All materials submitted must be subtitled or dubbed in English.
Complete the entry form with:
Title of drama and production/distribution details.
A 60 word pitch outlining why the series should be considered.
After submission you will be contacted for:
One clip or promo trailer of up to three minutes in length with all rights cleared for online screening.
Show logo – JPG – 620 pixels wide by 348 pixels high.
One full episode of the drama (which will only be viewable by the jury via a password protected site).
Best English language drama (series)
This category awards the English language drama series which displays the most ‘genre defining’ project in its class. It must demonstrate the most compelling story, casting, character, screenplay, direction, cinematography, music and production. The judges will pay close attention to series that have enjoyed unrivalled critical and ratings success in their home territory and at television markets and festivals around the world.
ENTRY CRITERIA
A drama series is defined as a production with 6 to 26 episodes.
Returning drama series are not eligible for this category.
Episode 1, Season 1 must have aired in its original territory for the very first time between 1 October 2016 and 30 September 2017.
Complete the entry form with:
Title of drama and production/distribution details.
A 60 word pitch outlining why the series should be considered.
After submission you will be contacted for:
One clip or promo trailer of up to three minutes in length with all rights cleared for online screening.
Show logo – JPG – 620 pixels wide by 348 pixels high.
One full episode of the drama (which will only be viewable by the jury via a password protected site).
The following categories will be chosen by C21’s editorial team and cannot be entered.
Drama Quarterly craft/showrunner award
Sponsored by:
To be chosen in house by the editor of Drama Quarterly.
C21 editor’s choice award
This award is considered and made by the senior C21 editorial team to the person, show or initiative that it deems has made, in its opinion, the most significant contribution to the international drama business during the past year.
